Our Experts
Corporate and Organizational Communication
(309) 438-7329
llipper@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Lance Lippert is the Program Coordinator for the Communication Studies program in the School of Communication. Dr. Lippert has published on topics in the areas of organizational, health, and instructional communication. Presently, he teaches organizational communication, health communication, leadership communication, training and development, and qualitative research methods.
(309) 438-7741
jlhalls@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Jodi Hallsten Lyczak specializes in designing and teaching college courses that students consistently find engaging and meaningful. She curates and builds thoughtful, relevant content tailored to their needs, creating strong learning environments in face-to-face and digital spaces across a wide range of communication and mass media topics.
(309) 438-1774
beokafo@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Blessing Okafor is an organizational communication scholar with research that centers on workplace communication, where she explores how interactions within professional enviroments--such as businesses, organizations, and other work settings--can be optimzied to enhance organizational effectiveness, employee well-being, and overall workplace dynamics. In addition to her primary focus, Dr. Okafor also investigates issues of precarity and resilience in various contexts, particularly in health and employment.
(309) 438-5342
jmrick@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Jessica Rick specializes in organizational and workplace communication. She has given multiple trainings to local and national organizations on microaggressions, diversity & inclusion, communication skills, conflict management, branding and mission alignment, work/life balance, and public speaking. She is also a trained Lean In Circles mentor.
(309) 438-7339
psmuude@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Pete Smudde's teaching focuses on public relations courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His research focuses on public relations as a corporate strategy, including performance management, as well has examining corporate message design. Dr. Smudde is also interested in internal public relations and the pedagogical approaches to public relations that meet academic and industry demands.
Democracy and Civic Engagement
(309) 438-8550
jrblane@IllinoisState.edu
Joseph R. Blaney, Ph.D., broadly studies how reputations of persons and organizations are harmed and repaired. His approach to image restoration has examined sporting, religious, academic, and cultural contexts.
(309) 438-7820
sjcarl3@IllinoisState.edu
Shanna Carlson is director of the debate team. The team focuses on a form of policy debate that examines the pros and cons to taking action to different topics. Shanna's research changes every year and is driven by the resolution the team is given.
(309) 438-7279
skhunt2@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Steve Hunt has teaching interests in argumentation and debate, communication assessment, communication methodology and pedagogy, communication needs of students at-risk, communication theory, freedom of speech, instructional communication, persuasion, political communication, public speaking, and special and diverse populations.
(309) 438-8447
mkoch@IllinoisState.edu
Megan Koch specializes in organizational and group communication, with particular interest in public speaking, leadership, decision-making, and team dynamics. She brings the expertise to both the classroom and the competitive speech and debate teams.
(309) 438-7679
jpmchal@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. John McHale teaches convergent media writing and specializes in feature film, documentaries, and television entertainment. He also teaches documentary production, history, and theory.
(309) 438-7630
serahko@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Steve Rahko teaches courses in race and visual rhetoric, rhetoric of race and trauma, and communication, culture, and difference in American society.
(309) 438-7876
jpzompe@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Joe Zompetti teaches courses in civic engagement, rhetoric, and argumentation. His courses usually involve aspects of rhetorical theory, rhetorical criticism, critical theory, cultural studies, civic engagement and social movement theories, and magic.
Digital Media/Media Production
(309) 438-7780
rcarro3@IllinoisState.edu
Bob Carroll has teaching interests in television production, media literacy, social media, motion graphics, lighting, camera movement, and persuasion through video. He has research interests in effects of light and color on viewer perception in video production, the use of drones in journalism, and the effects of camera movement on viewer perception.
(309) 438-8931
jpgee@IllinoisState.edu
Jim Gee teaches courses in television production and broadcast newswriting and reporting.
(309) 438-4626
jnhens1@IllinoisState.edu
Jorgi Henson teaches a course on web production and design which helps students learn the fundamentals and technical skills for webpage production.
(309) 438-2688
khopper@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. K. Megan Hopper’s research interests include media representation, experiences of journalists, and media literacy. Her teaching interests include ethical issues in mass communication, mass media theory and effects, media literacy, and reporting for the mass media. Dr. Hopper has professional experience as a print and online journalist.
(309) 438-7139
klambe2@IllinoisState.edu
Kelly Lambert specializes in video production and live sports production. She teaches basic communication and journalism courses as well. Live sports production is an industry in which Kelly is also currently active, mainly as a graphics operator.
(309) 438-7969
jpmchal@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. John McHale teaches convergent media writing and specializes in feature film, documentaries, and television entertainment. He also teaches documentary production, history, and theory.
(309) 438-4350
fseveri@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Fernando Severino has teaching interests in journalism studies, Latin America, political communication, and immigration.
(309) 438-5493
sssuess@IllinoisState.edu
Steve Suess is the Director of Convergent Radio Broadcasting in the School of Communication and Faculty Advisor for WZND Radio, four-time Broadcast Education Association station of the year. His regular teaching responsibilities include audio production, radio management, and supervising radio internships. A 2024 Outstanding University Teaching Award winner, Suess's background is primarily in audio journalism, sports, and production with more than 15 years of professional freelance experience.
Family and Interpersonal Communication
(309) 438-8379
jmbowm2@ilstu.edu
Jenifer Bowman specializes in communication studies and teaches courses in communication theory, interviewing, interpersonal communication, and nonverbal communication with a focus on helping students connect theory to everyday life.
(309) 438-3674
lrhale@IllinoisState.edu
Lee Anne Hale teaches courses about gender in the humanities, communication theories, and public speaking.
(309) 438-3277
aeott@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Aimee Miller-Ott has teaching interests in relational/interpersonal communication, family communication, and mobile technology in relationships. She has research interests in th negotiation of cellphone communication in personal relationships and the presentation and negotiation of identity in interpersonal relationships. These interests have been studied in a variety of xontexts such as, romantic relationships, friendships, post-divorce relationships, foster families, parent-child relationships, and women's peer relationships.
(309) 438-5342
jmrick@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Jessica Rick specializes in organizational and workplace communication. She has given multiple trainings to local and national organizations on microaggressions, diversity & inclusion, communication skills, conflict management, branding and mission alignment, work/life balance, and public speaking. She is also a trained Lean In Circles mentor.
(309) 438-7977
ljthom3@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Lindsey Thomas studies relationships and health. She firmly believes that the more you know, the more you realize you don't know much. Still, she knows (and wants to keep learning) quite a bit about family ties (or lack thereof), especially in contexts like foster care, estrangement, and parent-child communication more generally.
Health Communication
(309) 438-7747
medelin@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Mary Beth Deline investigates information avoidance, how changes are implemented in organizations and communities, and how resistance to these changes occurs, often in sustainability contexts. This requires intersecting strategic, organizational, and environmental communication, using methods rangig from qualitative interviews to surveys to content analyses.
(309) 438-7329
llipper@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Lance Lippert is the Program Coordinator for the Communication Studies program in the School of Communication. Dr. Lippert has published on topics in the areas of organizational, health, and instructional communication. Presently, he teaches organizational communication, health communication, leadership communication, training and development, and qualitative research methods.
(309) 438-3277
aeott@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Aimee Miller-Ott has teaching interests in relational/interpersonal communication, family communication, and mobile technology in relationships. She has research interests in th negotiation of cellphone communication in personal relationships and the presentation and negotiation of identity in interpersonal relationships. These interests have been studied in a variety of xontexts such as, romantic relationships, friendships, post-divorce relationships, foster families, parent-child relationships, and women's peer relationships.
(309) 438-5342
jmrick@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Jessica Rick specializes in organizational and workplace communication. She has given multiple trainings to local and national organizations on microaggressions, diversity & inclusion, communication skills, conflict management, branding and mission alignment, work/life balance, and public speaking. She is also a trained Lean In Circles mentor.
Intercultural Communication
(309) 438-7110
jrbaldw@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. John Baldwin focuses on intercultural communication, with inclusion of intergroup communication (issues of prejudice, intolerance, appreciation of people in other groups). Some of his teaching takes a civic engagement approach. His classes on culture and communication also consider representation of difference in "visual & popular culture" (e.g., summer study abroad class on identities in Latin American media).
(309) 438-7630
serahko@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Steve Rahko teaches courses in race and visual rhetoric, rhetoric of race and trauma, and communication, culture, and difference in American society.
(309) 438-4350
fseveri@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Fernando Severino has teaching interests in journalism studies, Latin America, political communication, and immigration.
(309) 438-7339
psmuude@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Pete Smudde's teaching focuses on public relations courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His research focuses on public relations as a corporate strategy, including performance management, as well has examining corporate message design. Dr. Smudde is also interested in internal public relations and the pedagogical approaches to public relations that meet academic and industry demands.
(309) 438-7876
jpzompe@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Joe Zompetti teaches courses in civic engagement, rhetoric, and argumentation. His courses usually involve aspects of rhetorical theory, rhetorical criticism, critical theory, cultural studies, civic engagement and social movement theories, and magic.
Leadership
(309) 438-7329
llipper@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Lance Lippert is the Program Coordinator for the Communication Studies program in the School of Communication. Dr. Lippert has published on topics in the areas of organizational, health, and instructional communication. Presently, he teaches organizational communication, health communication, leadership communication, training and development, and qualitative research methods.
(309) 438-1774
beokafo@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Blessing Okafor is an organizational communication scholar with research that centers on workplace communication, where she explores how interactions within professional enviroments--such as businesses, organizations, and other work settings--can be optimzied to enhance organizational effectiveness, employee well-being, and overall workplace dynamics. In addition to her primary focus, Dr. Okafor also investigates issues of precarity and resilience in various contexts, particularly in health and employment.
(309) 438-5342
jmrick@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Jessica Rick specializes in organizational and workplace communication. She has given multiple trainings to local and national organizations on microaggressions, diversity & inclusion, communication skills, conflict management, branding and mission alignment, work/life balance, and public speaking. She is also a trained Lean In Circles mentor.
Media Law and Media Literacy
(309) 438-7820
sjcarl3@IllinoisState.edu
Shanna Carlson is the director of the debate team. The team focuses on a form of policy debate that examines the pros and cons to taking action to different topics. Shanna's research changes every year and is driven by the resolution the team is given.
(309) 438-7977
lbratsl@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Lauren Bratslavsky has teaching interests in broadcast history, feminist media studies, television studies, visual communication, media literacy, and visual literacy. She also has research interests in historical and contemporary television, media archives, and media ecology.
(309) 438-8931
jpgee@IllinoisState.edu
Jim Gee teaches courses in television production and broadcast newswriting and reporting.
(309) 438-2688
khopper@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. K. Megan Hopper’s research interests include media representation, experiences of journalists, and media literacy. Her teaching interests include ethical issues in mass communication, mass media theory and effects, media literacy, and reporting for the mass media. Dr. Hopper has professional experience as a print and online journalist.
(309) 438-4350
fseveri@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Fernando Severino has teaching interests in journalism studies, Latin America, political communication, and immigration.
(309) 438-7310
amventi@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Andrew Ventimiglia is an expert in media law, policy, and ethics. His research specifically focuses on the history and theory of intellectual property law and has written about the development of copyright, trademark, and patent law in the United States. He has a secondary area of specialization in religious media with a focus on how American religious organizations use media to build community and guide followers.
(309) 438-7876
jpzompe@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Joe Zompetti teaches courses in civic engagement, rhetoric, and argumentation. His courses usually involve aspects of rhetorical theory, rhetorical criticism, critical theory, cultural studies, civic engagement and social movement theories, and magic.
Persuasion, Political and Environmental Communication
(309) 438-7977
lbratsl@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Lauren Bratslavsky has teaching interests in broadcast history, feminist media studies, television studies, visual communication, media literacy, and visual literacy. She also has research interests in historical and contemporary television, media archives, and media ecology.
(309) 438-7746
pjchide@IllinoisState.edu
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(309) 438-7747
medelin@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Mary Beth Deline investigates information avoidance, how changes are implemented in organizations and communities, and how resistance to these changes occurs, often in sustainability contexts. This requires intersecting strategic, organizational, and environmental communication, using methods rangig from qualitative interviews to surveys to content analyses.
(309) 438-7279
skhunt2@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Steve Hunt has teaching interests in argumentation and debate, communication assessment, communication methodology and pedagogy, communication needs of students at-risk, communication theory, freedom of speech, instructional communication, persuasion, political communication, public speaking, and special and diverse populations.
(309) 438-7969
jpmchal@IllinoisState.edu
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(309) 438-7630
serahko@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Steve Rahko teaches courses in race and visual rhetoric, rhetoric of race and trauma, and communication, culture, and difference in American society.
(309) 438-7876
jpzompe@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Joe Zompetti teaches courses in civic engagement, rhetoric, and argumentation. His courses usually involve aspects of rhetorical theory, rhetorical criticism, critical theory, cultural studies, civic engagement and social movement theories, and magic.
Public Relations and Crisis Communication
(309) 438-8550
jrblane@IllinoisState.edu
Joseph R. Blaney, Ph.D., broadly studies how reputations of persons and organizations are harmed and repaired. His approach to image restoration has examined sporting, religious, academic, and corporate contexts.
(309) 438-7747
medelin@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Mary Beth Deline investigates information avoidance, how changes are implemented in organizations and communities, and how resistance to these changes occurs, often in sustainability contexts. This requires intersecting strategic, organizational, and environmental communication, using methods rangig from qualitative interviews to surveys to content analyses.
(309) 438-8869
rahayes@IllinoisState.edu
Rebecca Hayes is a technology-focused public relations professor and researcher specializing in the intersection of social media, strategic communication, and the evolving role of AI in communication practices.
(309) 438-7329
llipper@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Lance Lippert is the Program Coordinator for the Communication Studies program in the School of Communication. Dr. Lippert has published on topics in the areas of organizational, health, and instructional communication. Presently, he teaches organizational communication, health communication, leadership communication, training and development, and qualitative research methods.
(309) 438-7679
jpmchal@IllinoisState.edu
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(309) 438-7339
psmuude@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Pete Smudde's teaching focuses on public relations courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His research focuses on public relations as a corporate strategy, including performance management, as well has examining corporate message design. Dr. Smudde is also interested in internal public relations and the pedagogical approaches to public relations that meet academic and industry demands.
Public Speaking and Debate
(309) 438-7820
sjcarl3@IllinoisState.edu
Shanna Carlson is the director of the debate team. The team focuses on a form of policy debate that examines the pros and cons to taking action to different topics. Shanna's research changes every year and is driven by the resolution they are given.
(309) 438-3674
lrhale@IllinoisState.edu
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(309) 438-7578
jfhooke@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. John Hooker co-directs the Com 110: Communication as Critical Inquiry general education public speaking program. His research focuses on student perceptions of instructors’ communication and its effects on learning. Dr. Hooker also researches teaching/training effectiveness through assessment.
Jillian Joyce Kaufmann
Instructional Assistant Professor and Co-Director of Communication as Critical Inquiry
(309) 438-5339
jajoyc1@IllinoisState.edu
Jillian Joyce Kaufmann co-directs the introductory communication course. Her expertise is in the basic/introductory communication course, accommodations for students with disabilities (particularly in public speaking classrooms), and instructor training.
(309) 438-8447
mkoch@IllinoisState.edu
Megan Koch specializes in organizational and group communication, with particular interest in public speaking, leadership, decision-making, and team dynamics. She brings this expertise to both the classroom and the competitive speech and debate teams.
(309) 438-8578
talamon@IllinoisState.edu
Tom Laminica has teaching interests in public relations and strategic communication, media relations, client relationships in public relations, sports communication and management, professional practice and internships, strategic writing, and editing.
(309) 438-4634
tmmcgui@IllinoisState.edu
Tina McGuire graduated from ISU with her master's in 2018, and she is now teaching in the School of Communication and the School of Teaching and Learning while pursuing her Ed.D. Tina's research interests include preservice teacher mental health and teacher preparation, sports communication, and interpersonal communication. Tina is also the PA announcer for ISU soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, and softball, and the voice of the Big Red Marching Machine.
Social Media and Technology/Computer-Mediated Technology
(309) 438-8869
rahayes@IllinoisState.edu
Rebecca Hayes is a technology-focused public relations professor and researcher specializing in the intersection of social media, strategic communication, and the evolving role of AI in communication practices.
(309) 438-3277
aeott@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Aimee Miller-Ott has teaching interests in relational/interpersonal communication, family communication, and mobile technology in relationships. She has research interests in th negotiation of cellphone communication in personal relationships and the presentation and negotiation of identity in interpersonal relationships. These interests have been studied in a variety of xontexts such as, romantic relationships, friendships, post-divorce relationships, foster families, parent-child relationships, and women's peer relationships.
Sports Communication
(309) 438-8628
jrblane@IllinoisState.edu
Joseph R. Blaney, Ph.D., broadly studies how reputations of persons and organizations are harmed and repaired. His approach to image restoration has examined sporting, religious, academic, and corporate contexts.
(309) 438-7688
kbcapie@IllinoisState.edu
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(309) 438-7746
pjchide@IllinoisState.edu
Description goes here. This is the description and a description describes the subject matter of the description.
(309) 438-7139
klambe2@IllinoisState.edu
Kelly Lambert specializes in video production and live sports production. She teaches basic communication and journalism courses as well. Live sports production is an industry in which Kelly is also currently active, mainly as a graphics operator.
(309) 438-8578
talamon@IllinoisState.edu
Tom Lamonica has teaching interests in public relations and strategic communication, media relations, client relationships in public relations, sports communication and management, professional practice and internships, strategic writing, and editing.
(309) 438-4634
tmmcgui@IllinoisState.edu
Tina McGuire graduated from ISU with her master's in 2018, and she is now teaching in the School of Communication and the School of Teaching and Learning while she is pursuing her Ed.D. Tina's research interests include preservice teacher mental health and teacher preparation, sports communication, and interpersonal communication. Tina is also the PA announcer for ISU soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, and softball, and the voice of the Big Red Marching Machine.
(309) 438-3298
kmeyer@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Kevin Meyer previously served as the School of Communication Graduate Coordinator, Coordinator of Communication Studies, and Director of Forensics. His research areas include: persuasion, silence, civic engagement and democracy, instructional communication and communication education, health communication, sports apologia and image repair. Dr. Meyer has taught courses in: research methods, quantitative methods, communication theory, persuasion, small group communication, gender, silence, senior capstone, public speaking, argumentation and debate. Meyer is also co-author of a persuasion textbook and communication theory textbook.
Visual and Popular Culture
(309) 438-7977
lbratsl@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Lauren Bratslavsky has teaching interests in broadcast history, feminist media studies, television studies, visual communication, media literacy, and visual literacy. She also has research interests in historical and contemporary television, media archives, and media ecology.
(309) 438-7746
pjchide@IllinoisState.edu
Description goes here. This is the description and a description describes the subject matter of the description.
(309) 438-7630
serahko@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Steve Rahko teaches courses in race and visual rhetoric, rhetoric of race and trauma, and communication, culture, and difference in American society.